Dr. Dean Barnes

Keynote Speaker | Burlington, Ontario

Leadership & Equity Specialist
Representation, Storytelling & Education Expert

Dr. Dean Barnes Expertise Leadership, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Inclusive Leadership, Teamwork, Cultural Diversity, Leadership and Change, Business & Corporate, Athletes & Sports and Inspirational Leadership.

Dr. Dean Barnes

About Dr. Dean Barnes

Dr. Dean Barnes is a Canadian speaker, podcaster, collector, and education leader who shares powerful stories of leadership, equity, and representation. He is the creator and host of My Hockey Hero, an award-winning podcast featuring the journeys of Black NHL and racialized CHL players, which won Best Sports Podcast at the 2023 Black Podcasting Awards and has reached national and international audiences. Dean also built a groundbreaking collection of nearly 100 rookie cards of Black and biracial NHL players, showcased in the NHL’s Black Hockey History and United by Hockey museum tours. Currently a School Superintendent, he leads system-wide initiatives in equity, mental health, and inclusive education, drawing on over 25 years of leadership experience and a PhD from the University of Toronto.

Dr. Dean Barnes Videos

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (Teacher Education programs

Dean Barnes: My Hockey Hero Podcast

Dr. Dean Barnes Interviews & Podcasts

Sportsline with Black Hockey Historian and 'my Hockey Hero' Podcast Cr

Ontario Educator Preserves Black Excellence in the Nhl

'rich Black Hockey History': Black Hockey Card Collection on Display a

Introducing: My Hockey Hero

DR. DEAN BARNES BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Dean Barnes is a Canadian speaker, podcaster, collector, and education leader who uses storytelling to promote leadership, equity, and community building. With over 25 years of leadership experience, Dean brings a compelling and authentic voice to conversations about representation, identity, and systemic change in sport, education, and business.

Dean is the creator and host of the award-winning My Hockey Hero podcast, which features powerful interviews with Black NHL players and racialized athletes from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the largest development league for NHL players in the world. Through personal stories of perseverance, leadership, and identity, the podcast helps audiences understand the challenges and triumphs of underrepresented athletes. In 2023, My Hockey Hero won Best Sports Podcast at the Black Podcasting Awards and reached #11 on Apple’s U.S. hockey podcast charts. Dean’s ongoing partnership with the CHL continues to bring these stories to new audiences across Canada and beyond.

In 2021, Dean completed a unique and groundbreaking project: collecting the rookie cards of nearly 100 Black and biracial NHL players, including pioneers like Willie O’Ree and Hockey Hall of Famers Grant Fuhr and Jarome Iginla. His collection has been featured in the NHL’s Black Hockey History mobile museum, which visited every NHL city during the 2021–22 season, positively impacting thousands of fans, students, and community members across North America. In the 2023–24 season, both the collection and podcast were featured in the NHL United by Hockey museum tour. Dean’s work has received widespread media coverage in The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Hamilton Spectator, Hockey News, NHL Sirius Radio, and Global TV.

The son of Jamaican immigrants, Dean grew up in a household where hockey wasn’t part of the family tradition, but was inspired to play the game in a supportive community and went on to play university hockey at the University of Waterloo. His personal story reflects the power of storytelling, representation, and persistence, and serves as a call to action for others to challenge stereotypes and expand the narrative of who belongs in hockey, leadership, and public life.

Dean is currently a School Superintendent, responsible for leading system-wide initiatives focused on student mental health, well-being, equity, and inclusive education. Previously, he served as a high school principal, where he implemented whole-school approaches that led to improved student achievement, stronger school culture, and better health outcomes for staff and students. His leadership is grounded in empathy, vision, and a deep commitment to building diverse, thriving communities.

Dean holds a PhD from OISE at the University of Toronto, where his research explored social capital, the vital resource we access through relationships. He also holds a Master of Education from Queen’s University. His academic work continues to inform his approach to inclusive leadership, relationship-building, and meaningful change.
Dean is a compelling and insightful speaker who brings a fresh and meaningful voice to conversations about leadership and representation.

Dr. Dean Barnes Topic Presentations

Dr. Dean Barnes Burlington, Ontario, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

Representation on Ice: Leadership Lessons from Hockey and Beyond

Breaking Barriers in Sport: Expanding the Narrative of Who Belongs

The Power of Storytelling: Driving Equity and Inclusion

Building Social Capital: Foundations for Inclusive Leadership

From the Classroom to the Boardroom: Leading Diverse Communities

Dr. Dean Barnes Books & Articles

Dr. Dean Barnes Speaking Testimonials

"Dean has been a longstanding advocate for marginalized students disproportionally impacted by negative experiences in schools, and brings a consistent, caring and critical eye to building opportunities for their success."

David Montemurro

Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dr. Dean Barnes known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Dr. Dean Barnes speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Dr. Dean Barnes is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Dr. Dean Barnes is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Dr. Dean Barnes from and where do they speak across Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes is from Burlington, Ontario and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Dr. Dean Barnes available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Dr. Dean Barnes deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Dr. Dean Barnes may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Dr. Dean Barnes to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Dr. Dean Barnes for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Dr. Dean Barnes as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Dr. Dean Barnes for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Dr. Dean Barnes may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Dr. Dean Barnes for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Dr. Dean Barnes should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Dr. Dean Barnes represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Dr. Dean Barnes is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More